God Sleeps in Rwanda

Watch God Sleeps in Rwanda

  • 2005
  • 28 min

God Sleeps in Rwanda is a touching documentary film that chronicles Rwanda's journey towards recovery and reconciliation following the 1994 genocide. The movie is a tribute to the resilience and strength of Rwandan women who not only endured the horrors of the genocide but also emerged as the country's hope for a better tomorrow. The film is directed by Kimberlee Acquaro, an American filmmaker who has worked extensively in Africa covering a wide range of human rights issues. Kimberlee sets the tone of the movie by taking us to the heart of Rwanda's capital, Kigali. The city is bustling with life, and people are going about their daily activities. However, behind the façade of normalcy, there is a deep sense of loss and pain that still lingers more than a decade after the genocide.

The opening scenes of the movie introduce us to some of the survivors of the genocide, who share their stories of loss and pain. These are ordinary Rwandans who lost everything during the genocide, their homes, their families, and their livelihoods. Their accounts are gut-wrenching, and one cannot help but feel a sense of empathy towards them.

However, amidst the darkness, there are rays of hope, and this is where the movie shines. We get to meet some of the courageous women who have taken it upon themselves to rebuild their shattered country. The movie focuses on the efforts of a group of women led by Julienne Mukabutera, who came together to form an organization called Solidarity for Women's Rights (Fonds Rwandais pour la Promotion des Droits de la Femme - FRPD). The organization supports women and children who survived the genocide by providing them with psychological, legal, and material assistance.

One of the most poignant scenes in the movie is when Julienne Mukabutera, the president of FRPD, takes us to a village where the organization has built homes for the survivors of the genocide. We get to see the joy and hope in the faces of the women and children who now have a place to call home. The scenes are a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Rwandan people, who, despite the horrors of the past, have refused to give up.

The movie also sheds light on the role of women in Rwanda's recovery process. We get to see how Rwandan women, who constitute more than 60% of the country's population, have taken up positions of leadership in various sectors of the economy. The movie also shows how women have been driving the reconciliation process by using traditional methods such as Ubudehe, a practice where villagers come together to discuss and solve community problems.

The movie's soundtrack is also worth mentioning. The film features several traditional Rwandan songs that help to create a sense of authenticity and connect the viewer to the Rwandan culture. The music is a perfect blend of sorrow, hope, and resilience, mirroring the emotions of the film's characters.

In conclusion, God Sleeps in Rwanda is a must-watch movie, especially for those interested in human rights and social justice. The film is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can still prevail. The movie's message is clear; Rwandan women have not only survived but also emerged as the backbone of their country's recovery process. The documentary is informative, moving, and inspiring, making it a powerful tribute to Rwanda's resilience and triumph over adversity.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2005
  • Runtime
    28 min
  • Language
    Kinyarwanda, Subtitled